Bishops discuss cohabitation at Vatican meeting

Bishops at a Vatican meeting discussed how the Church can support young couples who choose to live together instead of marrying. During the third day of a weeklong gathering held Oct. 7–14, participants addressed the global decline in both civil and religious marriages.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, opened the Oct. 9 session by noting that many children of Christian parents face loneliness or hesitation regarding lifelong commitments. The meeting, which marks the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, brought together presidents of bishops' conferences and heads of Eastern Catholic churches to discuss young people and the vocation to marriage.

Auxiliary Bishop Stephen Eustace Victor Fernandes of Bombay spoke during the morning session about accompanying couples living together outside of marriage. He urged bishops to avoid being indifferent or condemnatory, suggesting that listening to young people helps the Church distinguish between a rejection of marriage and a fear that committed love may not last.